NL West

Now Commenting On:

Murphy eager to get back in the lineup

Email

Print

Murphy's RBI single 0:49

4/24/13: David Murphy makes it a 2-0 ballgame with a single to right field in the fourth inning

By T.R. Sullivan
/
MLB.com |

ARLINGTON -- The Red Sox are starting right-hander John Lackey against the Rangers on Saturday, and it will be a chance for David Murphy, who has not started in the past four games with a left-hander on the mound for the opposition, to get back in the lineup.

Manager Ron Washington has been using the right-handed-hitting Jeff Baker in left field against left-handers.

"People talk about going well and sitting on your numbers," Murphy said. "My numbers aren't something you want to sit on, but I'm using this as an opportunity to take a break mentally and physically and get ready for the next stretch."

Murphy went into Friday's game against the Red Sox hitting .174 with two home runs and seven RBIs. He is also 1-for-15 in his last seven games.

"It's getting to the point where you just have to laugh about it," Murphy said. "It has been a rough stretch. It's not a secret that I play better later in the season than I do early in the season, but that's not an excuse. I expected to get off to a good start. It hasn't happened, but I'm not going to dwell on it. I'm going to focus on how well the team is playing, try to figure things out and find a way to contribute to the team."